Socket structure



Feb. 20, 1934. E. e. REINHARDT SOCKET STRUCTURE Filed June 18, 1932 Invenlor E-.G. Fez'nhardi flllorney Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates generally to electrical receptors, and particularly to an electrical socket receptacle having means for testing the same.

An important object of the invention is to provide a socket of this type with means whereby a plurality of the sockets or the like in a circuit, such as a Christmas tree decoration circuit, may be individually tested upon the appearance of a short circuit for the purpose of determining the defective socket, in a definite, accurate and convenient manner.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:--

Figure 1 is a general side elevational view of the embodiment.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the testing element.

Referring in detail to the drawing, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the same, the numeral 5 generally designates a suitable socket body, such as a generally cylindrical dielectric block provided in its upper end with an open- 0 3 receiving the threads on a plug or electrical light bulb or the like, with the lower end of which is connected a conductor '7 extended through a longitudinal passage so as to appear at the opposite end of the block as indicated. Located in the opening in which the threaded shell 6 is mounted, and on the floor thereof, is a center contact 8 which has a rounded head 9, a reduced shank portion 10 and a Wide base 11 to which is connected a conductor 12 led through a longitudinal passage in the block so as to extend from the other end of the block alongside of the conductor 7 as shown in Figure 2.

Extending radially through one side of the block is a small passage 13 which reaches as far as the threaded shell 6. Below the passage 13 is a similar passage 14 which reaches under the lower end of the threaded shell 6 and is extended as far as the reduced shank 10 of the center member 17 or handle is a U-shaped projection 19 which has the legs thereof exposed from the end ing accommodating the usual threaded shell 6 for of the block as shown. The leg 20 is shorter than the leg 21 and each of the legs is slightly tapered to facilitate inserting the same into the passages 13, 14 in the socket body.

It will be obvious that as the legs 20, 21 make contact with the threaded shell 6 and the center contact 8, that a circuit will be closed therethrough. The leg 20 is of such a length that when the block 16 is seated close to or against the side of the socket body, the inner end of the leg 20 will contact the threaded shell 6, and the inner end of the leg 21 will contact the reduced shank 10 below the enlarged head 9 of the center contact.

Where there is a plurality of the sockets 5 in a series circuit such as alluded to, upon the failure of the associated bulbs to light, the element 15 may be inserted and applied to each of the sockets in turn. A defective socket will be indicated bylighting of the bulbs in the remaining sockets upon the application of the element 15 to the defective socket. In this way, much trouble and inconvenience is avoided in the use and enjoyment of such electrical circuits, through the means provided for locating quickly and accurately the defective socket or sockets and thus making possible the restoration of the circuit in the least possible time.

Though I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes may be made in material and structure and arrangement of parts within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed is:-

In an electrical socket member having a dielectric socket body, having a recess therein, a threaded shell in saidrecess, a center electrical contact in said recess, said socket being provided with transversely extending spaced bores therein communicating respectively with said shell and the center electrical contact, a short-circuiting plug adapted to be inserted in said body, comprising a dielectric .body having the bight portion of a U-shaped contact member secured therein, the extending prongs of the U-shaped contact member being adapted to be inserted in the transversely extending bores in the socket body.

ERNEST G. REINHARDT. 

